Here we go again – Five Minutes on Friday with the LPD

Hope City Church
– our  LPD Church of the Week.

Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!

Ready or not, here we go again!
We are entering that season where we will use the words “launch,” “kick-off” and “start-up.”

We plan “welcome back barbeques,” celebrations and special events.

Anticipation of September and all the church events that come with it can arrive with mixed feelings. In ministry, our enthusiasm can be tempered by a variety of emotions.

One of these might be discouragement and weariness. Yes, we have had some vacation, but are we spiritually and mentally ready?
A church leader can be fearful of determining who is on “vacation” and who is “a.w.o.l.” It is often the summer months in which people can transition from church to church, and it is often only after Labour Day Weekend that we will know. Our response to “transitions” can range from “relief” to hurt and disappointment.

When we invest so much of ourselves in the local church “body,” it can be hurtful when some can sever themselves so easily.

Here is an article that gives some perspective to these transitions.

https://factsandtrends.net/2018/08/20/when-people-leave/

In a rather unique way, I was introduced to a recorded sermon by Charles (Chuck) Swindoll. The sermon, “Boars in God’s Vineyard,” was addressed to potential pastors/students at Dallas Seminary on their preview day, and in this he presents the realities of pastoral ministry today. I found this to be both a good reminder of what is to be expected in pastoral ministry and also of the importance of one’s call to ministry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi26ZsuYuck

Here’s the link:“Don’t Fake It.”Speaking of Swindoll, he also presents a good reminder of the importance of an intimate walk with Christ for pastors and leaders in a message,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Kom04JTwQ
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This Sunday, Karen and I look forward to Joining Grace EFC in Richmond, where I will preach and lead in the installation of Pastor Ping Su to the ministry of this Mandarin-speaking LPD church. Please pray for Ping Su and the continuing and fruitful ministry of this church family.

Please pray for:

• Sister Churches in the LPD – as they prepare for the season of ministry ahead.

• Karen Hamel and family, as they grieve the passing of Bill Hamel, the former president of the EFCA. Bill was a good friend and support to us in the EFCC, and will be missed.

• Carl Lindstrom, a faithful member and volunteer at New Westminster EFC, who has been recently diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.
• LPD Board.  Board members are Randy Lemke (Allana) – Chair, Patrick Chan (Sarah) – Property and Finance, Ben Crumback (Anna) – Island Liaison, Charles Labun (Carolyn) – Church Board Liaison, Rob Stewart (Karen) – DS, Tim Stewart (Emily) – Innovative Ministries, Kenneth Tsang (Mabel) – Chinese Church Liaison; Paul Yang (Jin) – Korean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary.
• Quadra Island Bible Church in their pastoral search.
• Christ Community Church (Ucluelet) in their pastoral search.
• North Delta EFC, in their search for an Associate Pastor for  youth.
• Grace EFC, in their search for a part-time youth pastor.
• White Rock Community Church, in their search for a youth pastor.
• Pastor Lorin and Jeanette Bergin, as they trust the Lord for health and their future.
• FLEFC, as they seek the Lord for his future plan for their church.
• For Jorge and Emily Lin, new LPD Church Planting Missionaries.They are in a residency program at New West EFC, in preparation for planting a church to reach all nations.
• The Steveston Project Team – Allen and Hannah Chang and Daniel and Joyce Wong.
• Central EFC in Courtenay/Comox – as they ready their new building for ministry, and prepare to dedicate the building in September. Our district is glad to assist them with a mortgage for this.
• Steve (Gillian) Sharpe, in his ministry as LPD Missionary of Church Planting Development, serving both our LPD Missionaries and Church Plants and church planting in the EFCC.

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“Pastoral Approaches: The Church & Same-Sex Attraction.” Saturday, October 20 at Richmond Chinese EFC, 9AM – 4PM. This is a follow up and further resourcing of our LPD Conference presentation. All pastors and lay-leaders are welcome! Cost: $10.00 per registrant. Please register online at our LPD Website: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/